System of telegraphic distribution



L. M. POTTS.

SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION April 21, 1925.

, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20 lNl EA/7016.. 5.4 @m/ A 'I'YYIJRNEY.

April 21, 1925. 1,534,660 1.. M. POTTS SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION Filed March 20, 1920 a Sheets-Sheet 2 Z @fia @ta @449 f 34:! 14a 34a 4%: 4/

EEr Y A April 21, 1925. I 1,534,660

L. M. POTTS SYSTEM OF TELEGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION Filed March 20, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TOR/V1? 1".

Patented Apr. 21, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

' LOUIS I. POTTS, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

Application filed March 20, 1920. Serial No. 367,421.

to the different channels of a multiplex systern.

An object/of the invention is to provide a system. whereby a plurality of telegraph messages originating at separate; stations may be transmitted to a mainor central station over branch lines or extension circuits where such messages will be transmitted automatically overa main line.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a system which is efiicient and reliable in operation.

Other objects will hereinafterappear.

The present invention is described in connection with a mechanical storage'keyboard such as described in my Patent 1,419,409, issued June 13, 1922..

One embodiment of the invention is illustratedby the following drawings Fig. 1 shows the electrical connections.

Fig. 2 shows the cams on the escapement shaft.

Fi 3 shows the escapement and balance wheel.

Fig. 4 shows a receiving lever and "contact.

Fig. 5 shows the start-mechanism.

Fig.6 is a fragmentary view looking at the receiving side of. that machine at central X with some parts removed.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view looking down on the machine at central Y and shows the transmitting contacts.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view looking down on the machine at central X and shows the receivin contacts.

Fig. 8 SE mechanism at a substation.

Fig. 9 is a view'of the machine at a substation looking at the transmitting side.

ows the transmitting contact.

sunflower devices 2 and 3 which are run by driving devices 4 and 5 which include suitable timing and synchronizin devices adapted to continuously keep t e trailer brushes at the two ends of the line in synchronism. At the branch ofiice X there is a transmitting device 6 which is started into operatlon at the beginning of each signal and sends a start impulse followed by the code impulses. At central X there is a similar device 7 which sets a series of'contacts according to the signal received. The signals are in turn automatically transmitted over a channel of the multiplex and operate a series of relays at central Y where they are again automaticall retransmitted by a selecting device 8, w ich is started into operation at the beginning of each signal, to branch office Y where a suitable selecting device 9 receives the signals. Each of the selectin devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 is provided with a timing device. It is essential that the timing be so regulated that one cycle of each selector shall be performed in at least as short a time as is occupied by one revolution of sunflower devices 2 and 3, but may be any amount faster, as long as selecting devices 6 and 7, and selecting devices 8 and 9 are timed alike. The selecting devices 6 and 7 and 8 and 9 may diifer in timing from one another, but would usually be alike for convenience.

Only so much of the mechanical part of the selecting-devices 6, 7, 8 and 9 will be here described as is directly concerned with the invention as here claimed. A more comscribed as is required at a transmitting substation (see Fig. 6). A shaft 10 has mounted thereon a friction clutch 11, one member of which is in continuous motion, being driven by any suitable means, such as an electric motor, so that there is a tendency for shaft 10 to rotate (see Figs. 3 and 6). In Figure 6 the balance and escapement at central X is shown, but the same reference numerals with a sub have been used so that the view shows the relation of the parts of the timing mechanism. There is mounted on shaft 10two escapement wheels 12 and 13, which are engaged by an anchor 14 having pallets 15 and 16, which .engage escapement wheels 12 and 13 respectively, anchor 14 also has a forked arm 17, which engages an impulse pin 18 on balance wheel 19. A coiled spring 20 has one end fast to balance wheel 19 and the other end fast to the frame of the machine, which gives the balance wheel some predetermined rate of vibration. Balance wheel 19 is locked in the position shown in Figure 3 by lug 21 engaging arm 22 (see Fig. 5).' Arm 22 has a pin 23, which engages link 24, which in turn is pivotally attached to slide 25. Slide 25 is pressed downward by spring 26 thereby forcing arm 22 into engagement with lug 21 fast to balance wheel 19. The lower end of slide 25 is adapted to be engaged by the tip of armature 27. Armature 27 is adapted to be moved against the tension of spring 28 by the energization of magnet 29. W hen magnet 29 is energized armature 27 moves upward carrying with it slide 25, link 24, arm 22, and thereby releasing balance 19, and allowing balance 19, under tension of spring 20, to move to the left and thereby disengage pallet 16 from escapement wheel 13, and allowing shaft 10 to rotate until pallet 15 engages a tooth of escapementwheel 12. As balance 19 oscillates from side to side anchor 14 will be rocked and shaft 10 will be allowed to move stepby-step. As soon as shaft 10 starts in motion cam 30 engages bell crank 31, rocks it about pivot 32, and thereby holds arm 22 out of engagement with lug 21, until shaft 10 has rotated sufliciently far for the high part of cam 30 to be disengaged from the projection 33 on bell crank 31. By this means shaft 10 is allowed to make a half revolution in six steps before coming to rest. (See Figs. 2 and 6). Mounted on shaft 10 is a series of fivecams 34, 34, 34, 34' and 34, which are spaced around the shaft in such a way that each one comes into operation successively during five consecutive steps of shaft 10. Cams 34 to 34 successively engage a series of fivelevers 35*- to 35*, which are held to the left by springs 36 attached near the top thereof. The lower ends of levers 35 to 35 are adapted to be locked against motion to the right by a series of locks 37 to 37 (see Fig. 8}, which against motion at the bottom by pin 52 essence are controlled in any suitable manner, as for example, by a magazine keyboard as described in my patent mentioned above. Engaging the upper ends of levers 35 to 35 is a universal bar 38, which in turn engages a contact 39. As shaft 10 makes a half revolution the levers 35 to 35 move out at the bottom or top according to the way in which locks 37 a to 37 a are operated and contacts 39 and 40 are opened and closed in such a manner as to send a signal corresponding to the setting of the locks 37 a to 37 Mounted on shaft 10 is a sixth cam 41, which is adapted to engage lever 35 in the stopping position of shaft 10, and thereby closecontacts 39 and 40 and send a start impulse at the beginning of each signal, in case a signal is to v be sent. The method of controlling the operation of lever 35 is not here described as it forms no part of the invention and is fully described in my said above mentioned patent.

At central X shaft 42 has corresponding thereto a balance and escapement, a magnet and a starting mechanism exactly like that already described in connection with shaft 10 at substation Shaft 42 carries a series of cams 43 to 43 like cams 44* to 44' (see Fig. 2). Each'cam 43 to 43 is staggered-around the shaft 42 in steps similar to cams 44- to 44. Each of the cams 43 to 43 engages a lever 45 to 45, which held to the right near the top by a spring and as shaft 42 makes a half revolution levers 45 to 45 are moved out at the top or bottom according as the pointed tip of armature 48 is up or down. 1f tip 47 is up when slide 45 is engaged by cam 43 slide 45 is locked against motion at the be and moves outward at the top. When 45* is moved out at the top a spring pr plunger 49 moves upward and locks ll this position.

lziiounted on shaft 42 a cam 50, associated with which is a lever 51., which is held and is adapted to operate con acts (iii-54. the normal stopping posi: of shaft projection 55 on lever 51 engages a notch in cam 50 and-allows contacts to re nn open. However, as soon as shaft 42 to rotate lever 51 is moved ie the rigl contacts 5354 are closed and remain shaft 42 completes a nail rcvoi (Care 56 may take the place on responding to the location. I shaft 10). The function, of will appear later.

At central Y shaft 56 has iciated flaw-c with a start mechanism and balance :95 escapement and 'a series of ing 0. 2. to 57 exactly similar to the correspo arts at substation X. The only di tween selecting devices 6 and 8 is each of the levers 58 to of selec llii device 8 is permanently prevented from moving to the right at the bottom by pin 59 and instead of each of the levers 58 to 58 operating a universal bar an individual circuit closer 60-61 to 60-61 is provided corresponding to each of the levers 58 to 58.

At substation .Y, selecting device 9 has a start mechanism, balance and escapement, a series of cams 69 to 69, and a series of le vers 63 to 63 exactly similar'to those in selecting device '7. The'series of levers 63 to 63 may form art of a recording mechanism such as is d dscribed in my Patent No. 1,229,202.

The electrical circuits and operation will nowbe described (refer to Fig. 1). :At substation X,, there is a keyboard and mechanical storage device 64 which controls the character of the signals sent by the selecting device. 6. When a signal is to be sent contacts 39-40 close an d a start impulse is sent over a circuit traced as follows: positive ole generator 65, resistance 66, magnet 67, contact39, contact 40, line 68 magnet 69, contact 70, contact 71, to ground and return to the other pole of generator 65. It is to be'noted that this circuit can only be completed when trailers 72 are passing over segment 73 which completes a circuit as follows: positive supply main, resistance 74, coil 75, coil 76, segment 7 3 trailers 72, ring 77, to negative supply main, thus energizing magnet 76 and closing contacts 78-79. Segment 7 3 which immediately follows segment 73 is connected directly to magnet coil 75 without passing through magnet coil 76, so that magnet coil 75 receives a longer impulse than magnet coil 76. Thisinsures that contacts -71 shall remain closed until contacts 53-54 close and also insures that the depression of plungers 49 shall not interfere with the setting of the lever"45. If no signals are bein sent and contacts 39-40 are open, the trai ers 72, as they rotate, will close contacts 78-79 for a brief interval during each revolution. If transmission is started contacts 39-40 are closed, but the line will not close until the trailers 72 reach segment 7 3 When the line is so closed an impulse is sent on the line and magnets 67 and 69 are energized and each of the selecting devices 6 and 7 are started into operation. Magnet 29 is energized through a circuit traced as follows: positive supply main, resistance 80, magnet 29, contacts 81-82, to negatlve. When selecting device 6 is so started shaft 10 moves a half revolution and through'the series of cams 34 to 34, which are staggered around shaft 10, closes and opens contacts 39-40 in such a way as to send code signals according to the keys operated. There IS one of the cams 34 to 34 for each element of the code, and a lever 35 to 35 corresponding to each cam. All the levers 35 to 35 are adapted to operate contacts 39-40 through universal bar 38. By the arrangement just described-the selecting devices 6 and 7 are started into operationat the beginning of each signal and always in the same relation to the sunflower device 2, while the character of the signals transmitted is controlled from the keyboard and storage device 64 at station X the beginning of each signal is controlled by the sunflower device 2 at central X.

After the start impulse has been sent, magnet 69 at central X has been energized and selecting device7 has been started into operation, a series of levers 45 to 45 are set in combinations according to the code signals sent from station X,. There is one of the levers 45 to 45 corresponding to each of the elementsof the'code signal. 'When any signal is received which contains an element of the code corresponding to certain of the levers 45 to 45, those levers are moved outward at the top and locked in that position by spring pressed plungers 49. When the complete signal has been sent the levers 45 to 45 will be set in a combination corresponding to the signal. Each of the levers 45 to 45 operates a corresponding contact tongue 83 to 83, which in the normal or unset position of levers 45 to 45 rest against contact springs 84 to 84. When a lever 45 to 45 is set or in a position corresponding to a signal containing a corresponding element of the code, contact tongues 83 to 83 make contact with contact springs 85 to 85. After shaft 42 has completed a half revolution, i.1e., at the end of a signal interval, ton'gues'83 to 83 will be engaging front or back contacts 84 to 84 or 85 to 85 in a combination corresponding to the signal sent. Whenever selecting device 7 is started into operation shaft 42 moves cam 50 which moves lever 51 and thereby closes contacts 53-54 and keeps them closed for a half revolution of shaft 42 or during the complete period for the reception of a. single signal. Contacts 53-54 are connected in parallel with contacts 7 0-71. The latter contacts are closed momentarily, as previously described, at the beginnin of each signal for a length of time su cient to ke'ep'thc line closed until contacts 53-54 can beclosed, if a. signal is resistance 88, magnet 87, contact 79, relay a time an impulse is transmitted which closes contacts 7071 and thereby starts the selecting devices 6 and 7 into operation at the beginning of the next signal, as previously described.

As trailer brushes 89 rotate they will transmit positive and negative impulses in succession and in combinations according to the setting of levers 45 to 45. The circuit may be traced as follows: ground, positive or negative terminal generator 90 or 91, resistance 92 or 93, contacts 85 to 85 or 84 to 84, tongues 83 to 83, segments 94 to 94, trailers 89, collecting ring 95, line 1. coils of polarized relay 96, ground and return. The impulses transmitted over the above traced circuit will operate relay tongue 97 according to the impulses transmitted. A resistance 98 is connected from the positive to the negative supply terminal. Contacts 99 and 100 are tapped to resistance 98 at points in proximity to the positive and negative connections. The mid point of resistance 98 is connected to one coil terminal of polarized relay 101, the other terminal of which connects to one terminal of each of polarized relays 102 to 102, one of which is provided for each element of the code. The other terminals of relays 102 to 102 connect to the corresponding segments of sunflowerdevice 3. The collecting ring 103 connects to relay tongue 97. As trailers 104 rotate and tongue 97 vibrates from the incoming impulses positive or negative impulses will be transmitted successively through relays 102 to 102 and all of theimpulses corresponding to the group of relays 102 to 102 will pass through polarized relay 101. Polarized relay 101 is adjusted so that it has a bias away from the connected contact 105, so that it will go forward when positive current is passing through the relay coils, but will immediately return when the current is stopped and will not go forward at all for negative impulses, that is, if in any given revolution of trailers 104 any one or more of the group of relays 102 to 102 receive a positive or setting impulse, relay tongue 106 will go forward and complete a circuit as follows: positive terminal, resistance 107,-coil 108, contact 105, tongue 106, to negative, and will move tongue 109 of polarized relay 110 forward against its forward stop where it will remain.

Leeaeeo Just after a signal has been transmitted over circuit 1 and trailer brush 104 has passed the last segment of the group on sunflower device 3, the group of relays 102 to 102 will be set in a combination corre sp-onding to the signal sent and, if any of the relays 102 to 102 are set, relay-tongue 109 will be forward and as trailer brushes 111 pass over segment 112 of sunflower device 3, a circuit will be completed as follows: positive supply main, resistance 113, coil 114, segment 112, trailer brushes 111, collecting rin 115, to negative. Coil 114 will be energized and tongue 116 thereof will move forward and complete a circuit as follows: positive pole of generator 117, resistance 118, magnet coil 119, tongue 109, contact 120, contact 121, relay tongue 116, line 122, magnet 123, to ground and return. The so-ca-lled start impulse is thus transmitted and magnets 123 and 124 are energized. Magnet 124 is energized by a circuit as follows: positive supply main, resistance 125, magnet 124, contact 126, tongue 127, to negative, tongue 127 being moved forward upon the energization of magnet 119. After the start impulse has been transmitted, an impulse is transmitted over a circuit as follows: positive supply main, re sistance 107, coil 128 of relay 110, segment 129, trailer brushes 111, collecting ring 115, to negative. By this impulse tongue 109 of relay 110 is moved to its back stop ready for the reception of the next signal. Both of the magnets 123 and 124 being energized by the sending of the start impulse, selecting devices 8 and 9 are started into operation. Selecting device 8 moves one after the other a series of levers 58 to 58, one corresponding to each of the elements of the code. Each of the levers 58 to 58 in turn controls ajpair of contacts 60 to 60 and 61 to 61, and these contacts are closed in an invariable sequence as selecting device 8 operates. Each of the contacts 60 to 60 15 connected to the front contacts 130 to 130 of the corresponding polarized relays 102 to 102. All the tongues 131 to 131 of the polarized relays 102 to 102 are connected through magnet. 11:19 and resistance 118 to the positive pole of generator 117.

All of the contacts 61 to 61 connect to line 122 so that as selecting device 8 operates after being started, the contacts 60 to 60 and 61 to 61 in co-operation with the contacts 130 to 130 and 131 to 131 will transmit over line 122 code impulses identical in character with the code impulses originally transmitted over line 68 and a series of levers 63 'to 63, one corresponding to each of the elements of the code, will be set in combinations corresponding to the signals sent and may be recorded in any suitable manner, as for example, in printed characters as described in my United States mitting contacts, said contacts being individually connected to the contacts of corresponding ones of said relays so that said relays control the character of the impulses transmitted by said transmitting contacts, a relay connected in a wirecommon 'to the circuit of all of said relays and responsive simultaneously with said relays upon the application of a current of a predetermined polarity for controlling the starting of said transmitting device. a

2. In a telegraph system, a sunflower device, means'to operate said sunflower device.

uniformly, a series of relays, electrical connection between the coils of said relays and said sunflower device, a transmitting device started into operation at the beginni'n each signal and automatically stoppe at the end of each signal, said transmitting device including a series of transmitting contacts, said contacts being individually connected to the contacts of corresponding ones of said relays so, that said relays control the character of the impulses transmitted by said transmitting contacts, a relay responsive to impulses of one polarity only and connected in a wire common to the circuit of all of said relays, an auxiliary relay connected to the forward contact ofsaid relays and responsive to one polarity only and operated thereby, a relay operatedby the sunflower device once in each revolution and invariably in the same position in each operation of sald first mentioned c1rcu1t revolution, a contact operated by said last mentioned relay and in series with the contact of the auxiliary relay so as to start the transmitting device into operation, whenever any relay of the series is operated.

3. In a telegraph system, a sunflower de vice, means to operate said sunflower device uniformly, a series of relays, electrical connection between the coils of said relays and said sunflower device, a transmitting device started into operation at the beginmn 0 each signal and automatically stoppe at the end of each signal, said transmitting device including a series of transmitting contacts, said contacts being individually consy nected to the contacts of corresponding ones of said relays s0 that'saidrelays control the character of the impulses transmitted by said transmitting contacts, arelay responsive to impulses of one polarity only and connected in a wire common to the circuit of all said relays, an auxiliary relay connected to the forward contact of said relays and responsive to one polarity only and operated thereby, a relay operated by the sunflower device once in each revolution and invariably in the same position in each revolution, a contact operated by said last mentioned relay and in series with the contact of the auxiliary relay so as to start the transmitting device into operation, whenever any relay of the series is operated, and means operated by the sunflower device to return the auxiliary relay to normal after the transmitting device has been started into operation.

4. In a telegraph system, a selecting device started into operation at the beginning of each signal and automatically stopped at the end of each signal, said selecting device comprising a circuit closer and a series I of levers common to said circuit closer and adapted to operate said circuit closerin c0m-" binations according to the signal to be transmitted, a series of relays, connection between said relays and said circuit closer including multiplex synchronous sunflower devices, said connection being adapted to operate saidrelays successively and set them in combinations according to the signal transmitted by said circuit closer; a second selecting device started into operation at the beginning of each signal and automatically stopped at the end of each signal, said last mentioned selecting device comprising a series of levers, and a series of circuit closers one individual to each of said lastmentioned levers, said circuit closers bein individually connected to the contacts 0 correspond! ing ones of said series of relays, a magnet, means including said last. mentioned selecting device'to' operate said series of contacts successively and thereby cause the armature .of said magnet to repeat under the control of the contacts of said series of relays the f ly connected to said extension circuit, me-

chanically operated means for actuating said contacts to transfer directly to said extension circuit impulses from said multiplex stem, and recording means at the distant station for recording such impulses.

6. In a telegraph system a plurality of stations, a multiplex synchronous system c nnect ng two f said stations, an extension circuit extending from one of said stations to a distant station, means for trans mitting code combinations of message impulses over said multiplex system, a series of relays operated in accordance with the transmission of message impulses over said multiplex system, mechanically operated means, and reciprocating contacts actuated by said mechanically operated means for transferring to said extension circuit from said multiplex system impulses, the character of which is determined by the operation of said relays.

7. In a telegraph system, a plurality of stations, a multiplex synchronous system connectin two of said stations, an extension circuit' extending from one of said stations to a distant station, means for transmitting code combinations of message impulses over the extension circuit, reciprocating contacts, means connected in said extension circuit and responsive to all impulses impressed thereon and acting mechanically on said contacts to control their actuation, and means associated with said contacts for stations, a multiplex synchronous system.

connecting two of said stations, an extension circuit extendin from one of said stations to a distant station, means for transmitting code combinations of message impulses over said multiplex system, means including a series of contacts for transferring the impulses from said multiplex system-to said extension circuit, cam-operated means individual to each of said contacts, and means controlled by impulses transmitted over said multiplex system for setting in operation said cam-operated means whereby said. contacts are operated consecutively, and recording means at the distant station for recording such impulses.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

LOUIS M. POTTS. 

